Wednesday, March 17, 2010

The Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History is opening a new permanent exhibit exploring over 6 million years of human origins.

The nearly $21 million Hall of Human Origins opens today. It will include more than 285 fossils and artifacts, including the only Neanderthal skeleton in the United States.

Curator Rick Potts says the exhibit tracks major milestones of human development, including when we started walking upright and speaking. He says the science can be compatible with religious perspectives.

Most of the funding came from billionaire David H. Koch, executive vice president of Kansas-based energy company Koch Industries Inc.

The museum attracted 7.4 million visitors last year, making it the most popular U.S. museum.

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